Comic Type

Andy Zaltzman

An Oxford classics graduate, Andy Zaltzman emerged on to the stand-up scene in 1999, when he was a finalist in the So You Think You're Funny? talent contest.

The following year he was chosen to take part in the well-regarded Comedy Zone showcase at Edinburgh, and also made the finals of the Daily Telegraph Open Mic award. His solo Edinburgh debut, Andy Zaltzman versus The Dog Of Doom, was nominated for the Perrier Best Newcomer award in 2001.

Zaltzman has worked extensively with John Oliver. In 2004, they launched a satire night in London and Edinburgh, called Political Animal, which transferred to Radio 4, and since 2007 have hosted The Bugle, a topical podcast for Times Online. They also wrote and starred in three series of The Department, again for Radio 4.

He performed at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival for the first time in April 2007, where he won the coveted Piece of Wood Award for the comedians' comedian.

Zaltzman has also written for several series of Bremner, Bird and Fortune, and in November 2008 his first book, entitled Does Anything Eat Bankers? And 53 Other Indispensable Questions For The Credit Crunched, was published.

Andy Zaltzman Videos

Reviews

Andy Zaltzman: Satirist For Hire

As topical comedy’s king of the convoluted, Andy Zaltzman loves a challenge. He delivers his contrived metaphors and laboured puns with the self-satisfaction of a Countdown champion who’s just unpicked a particularly tricky conundrum – and although the skill may be a very precise one, it’s intellectually impressive.

For this tour, he’s playing on the ‘difficult’ setting, asking audience members to suggest in advance the sort of topics they want satirised. While some topics will inevitably recur, a lot in tonight’s show is bespoke as he’s asked, for example, to mock the autumn equinox. And in one stand-out section, he’s asked to comment on Carly Rae Jepsen – which prompts him to deploy some home-made audio chicanery to prove that she’s a far deeper artist than Jimi Hendrix. But that iconoclasm’s nothing compared to him muddying the reputation of the sainted David Attenborough.

The Satirist For Hire format certainly provides a different subject from the usual headlines, and provides Zaltzman a relief from trying to ‘take a sideways look at…’ depressing issues such as the butchers of Islamic State. Still he covers some of the lead news stories in his own time: after a perfectly overblown and pun-packed wrestling-style intro, he kicks off with observations about Ed Miliband’s conference speech delivered that very afternoon. You can’t fault the topicality, even if the ideas are still half-formed.

His labyrinthine analogies score best… it’s a uniquely-wired brain that looks at Greece’s economic woes then liken the nations to a man who’s trapped his testicle in a George Foreman grill. Wilfully obtuse wordplays are another speciality, often accompanied with a commentary on just how smart he’s been, or the occasional reprimand after jokes that ‘deserve slightly more than you’re giving credit for…’

Despite his obvious flair for such intellectual gymnastics, the hour – or closer to 75 minutes tonight – remains hit-and-miss. That much of the material is for one night only, without the chance of being hones, is both a blessing and a curse.

Zaltzman admits he’s still grappling the format, which also incorporates a Honker Of Truth, A Spike Of Destiny and a Satirax 3000X – a pineapple-cum-radio only twice called into play to cover a bit of admin with prerecorded gags. But it would be to miss the point to call this paraphernalia contrived – as that’s his M.O.

For this brainbox comic is no polemist – indeed several times he refers to himself as a ‘neutral’, perhaps subliminally lobbying for more BBC work. Instead of seeking to convey his opinions, he does a sort of Scrapheap Challenge on the issues in hand, seeing within the scattered detritus of the news the components of a comedic charabanc, which may or may not function as hoped when finally put together. But even when it fails, he’s good-naturedly self-deprecating about it, and may, if you’re lucky, dust down an elegantly-constructed pun to cover the deficit.

Comments

Older Comments

Dick Craver - 27/09/2011

Ali - 17/07/2011

Requires at least some knowledge of current affairs to get some of his stuff, but reliably excellent surreal satire.

HH - 07/05/2011

Sorry, but found the "headline" act (being Andy) so boring I started my own little show in the audience. It raised more laughs!

Elena - 15/06/2008

Saw him in Islington in April. You have to be down with politics to mainly get his jokes. It went a little too over my head. Also, he told a very blasphemous joke, I'm all for laughing a bit about Jesus, but it all went a bit too far, he kinda lost the audience.

John - 28/08/2006

Seen Andy last week at the Fringe in Edinburgh, very good and very funny, his comedy could be considered rather 'highbrow', concentrating mainly on current affairs, very funny and after polishing his solo appearance at the fringe, the end result was an excellent performance. He's a funny guy, and an afternoon slot was ideal, as his comedy may be a little to complex, if you had had a few drinks!

Scott - 09/08/2006

I just don't find him funny live. Maybe I'm just not intelligent enough?! As much as I dislike and now avoid his live stuff I really appreciate some of the stuff he does for Radio 4. Political Animal with Oliver (who I really like) has some real moments. So I won't buy tickets but I do tune in

Bob Hennigan - 18/01/2006

Material is great but he is glaringly uncertain of himself. If he tried to convey the material through a different medium he'd probably do better

Tess - 06/07/2005

Saw him at an Edinburgh 2005 preview and thought he was hysterical, good counter-foil to John Oliver and like a intellectually-upmarket Skinner and Baddiel. Very very funny, very very clever but those of low intelligence won't get it But then, I don't think he cares about that and neither do I. Why should he lower his standards for idiots?

- 15/06/2005

I have never seen him actually do stand up but saw him last night as a panellist on Armando Iannucci 'sCharm Offensive - unfortunatly he was neither charming nor offensive, but silent, very very silent. Looked like a fish out of water compared to Armando and Alexi Sayle who clearly were far more experienced. Not a natural comedian and certainly not a good panellist on a show.

Kirsty - 01/03/2005

Although I thought some of his stuff was quite funny, and he was a very likeable bloke, most of his jokes were just a bit too clever and by the time you got them it was a bit late to laugh. Not the best comic i've seen, but an entertaining hour even so

Richard - 30/11/2004

A refreshing change from the usual. You don't have to be intelligent to understand him, but if you have ever thought there's more to life than wanks and I'm a Celebrity, then you will find him hilarious. One of the best comics I have seen

David - 29/11/2004

Great presence. Really funny.

Alex - 20/11/2004

One of the best acts ive seen in the last three years, had a small crowd in the palm of his hand. Brilliant

Louise - 29/10/2004

I cringed for the man. Don't kid yourself that only intelligent people like this man, its just not true. The reality is that he's just not funny. At all.

Greg - 04/09/2004

Definitely an aquired taste - like Nigerian Feminist Cinema or Appalachian Bluegrass Folk Music. He lacks the basic warmth, charisma and common touch to ever appeal to anyone beyond a handful of Guardian readers. Not as great as he thinks he is.

Tom Gartland - 20/07/2004

Pish, total pish. As funny as a wet weekend in Whitley Bay.

Rosie - 04/02/2004

I've seen him four or five times and he seemed just wonderfull to me. Inteligent, thought provoking and hilarious, cutting a welcome swathe through the mediocre 'my girlfriend' fare so prevelent on the British comedy circuit these days.

Mark - 28/01/2004

A hero, a brilliant writer and performer that leaves most others in the shade, would kill to have half the talent this man has. Have seen him about six times and he never failed to storm the gig, I wish we were as proud of Andy Zaltzman as we are of Ricky Gervais, because he deserves it.

Bella - 27/10/2003

High point of his performance was when asking 4 departing audience members where they were going, they replied 'to watch some paint dry'....

Meccathewest - 07/09/2003

His rants are superb and material very intelligent and funny, but he also looks like heckler-fodder on stage. Very funny but wholly unconvincing and nervous delivery.

Goose - 13/07/2003

At the Laughterhouse on Saturday he was simply superb. Intelligent, witty and more laughs for minute than ever before. He oozed with confidence, alot more so when I saw him before. A class act.

Barry Ometer - 26/06/2003

Brilliant.

Zaphod - 04/06/2003

What a poor deluded man. I saw him at the Rawhide club in Liverpool some months ago and he absolutely died on his arse. His 'Queen Victoria walks into a bar' story (you couldn't call it a joke) just fizzled out to absolute silence. Painfully dull. Avoid at all costs

Tom - 15/04/2003

Watching Zaltzman's woeful set is like being back at school during a double history lesson taken by a hippy supply teacher, who drops in the occasional attempt at a joke in the deluded belief he's being witty and amusing. Appalingly unfunny.

Pete - 28/03/2003

I have never seen anyone die on their arse as badly as this guy. There were people in the bar afterwards saying 'Dead man walking!' as he shuffled by trying not to be noticed. His hair is funnier than his act, but then so is typhoid.

Vine Reporter - 11/02/2003

Zaltzman is a talented comedian. He played St. Andrews last night and i found him funny and original with a socio-political edge to his routine. it's easy to understand why some people can't grasp it occassionally.

Smith - 27/11/2002

I didn't quite know what to think. Very clever and original approach to comedy. I liked his material, but it was hard to follow some of it.

Becky - 05/11/2002

I saw Andy Zaltzman at the Amused Moose, and thought he was fantastic, his material is clever and original, which he delivers exceptionally well.

Ryan - 16/10/2002

Andy Zaltzman is the least funny bloke I have ever had the misfortune to pay to go and see, and I have done this twice. The first time was a mistake, I didn't know who he was, the second time I thought I'd give him another chance. There will definately not be a third time. He seems a very clever man, so to intentionally ask people to heckle you and not have any comebacks is crazy!? He has died on his backside both times I have seen him. I would rather stick burning matches under my nails than see him again!

Scott B - 14/10/2002

How is this man still getting gigs? I was embaressed for the guy, I've never seen anyone get heckled as much, that was the only thing that kept me awake. Time for a career change Andy, how about an Art Garfunkel impersonator?

Adam - 13/10/2002

Andy Zaltzman's material is original. his delivery is fluid, his wordplay superb and his interaction with a tough audiance was well judged and measured. His Queen Vic routine is on a different level. You don't have to run around the stage to make people laugh. you can use your intelligence and encourage others to join you on your journey as Zaltzman does expertly.

Rik Child - 01/10/2002

I went to school with this bloke so I know how intelligent this man can be. I recently saw him at the Komedia in Brighton. His schoolboy Pythonesque humour has completely evaporatd and left a very slick, cerebral take on history that cannot be dismissed. I nearly fell off my seat I laughed so much. Watch out for this man - he will make it big in political satire if he wants to.

Mandy - 06/09/2002

Brilliant, what a genius.

James Cook - 06/07/2002

I suffer from Zaltzmania.

Tom - 30/06/2002

It's painful! I have seen this guy twice at the Amused Moose and he cannot seriously think what he is saying is funny. He tries to rip off Stewart Lee and just can't manage it. Somewhere there's an office missing a bore.

Ryan Gough - 16/06/2002

On paper you wouldn't think it'd work but boy it works and works good ! Thoroughly enjoyable, definetely one of my faves. His comedian customer opinion survey is pure class.

James - 05/06/2002

Top notch. The 'Queen Victoria walks into a bar' material is the most memorable and inventive piece of dialogue I've witnessed on the comedy circuit over the last year

Claire - 30/05/2002

Grindingly mediocre

Mustard - 26/04/2002

How refreshing to see someone who doesn't talk about the difference between men and women. He's injected an innovative element into comedy that not many "comedians" do these days.

Will Hodgson - 26/04/2002

Excellent cerebral stuff, but unlikely to appeal to morons.

DejaVu - 13/04/2002

Zaltzman reminds me of the kind of self-opinionated bore I'd end up lumbered talking to on the stairs at student parties. Punchline-light stuff told by an arrogant sulky performer with zero charisma.

Stephen Patrick - 11/04/2002

Different, clever, charismatic and compelling, Andy Zaltzman is a treasure trove of skilled world play, absurdity and surrealism. I could watch him all day.

Clara - 13/03/2002

Andy is a comic genius. He is so clever, that he doesn't have to run around the stage pulling faces in order to be funny. His madly crazed ideas and interesting stories do that itself. By far the highlight of any show is when someone tries to heckle him- with a cool, calm voice he shows they have more legs than braincells. I think he will be a massive hit